STOWAWAY’S SWIM

Grey River Argus, 19 June 1933, Page 2

STOWAWAY’S SWIM

EXCITES SYMPATHY A Deportation Order WITHOUT A CONVICTION. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, June 17. Fritz Krcuzcr, aged 21, dived overboard from the Mariposa, appeared at the Police Court charged with vagrancy and with entering New Zealand without a permit. After the police described his escape, Magistrate Hunt said it was a good swim from near the naval base to northern wharf. Sergeant Thompson: It was, Sir. The Magistrate: I don’t want to convict him. The President of the Auckland German Club, G. Thedens, said that if he were not imprisoned, his countrymen would look after him. The accused: “‘I give you my word of honour. Sir, if I am allowed to go with these people, I will work hard, and not escape.’’ Later he said: il Please do not send me back to Germany!” In the midst of a discussion between £ Thedens and a representative of the Shipping Company, word was received from a prominent business man to enter into a bond for the accused, while he was in Auckland. Eventually the Magistrate made a deportation order, and the accused is held in custody pending a decision concerning his release while awaiting deportation. The Shipping Company will ascertain from Australia if he would be allowed to la ml there. Sympathy with Kreuzer

OFFERS OF WORK AND BAIL. c REMARKABLE INTEREST SHOWN, I ( . AUCKLAND. June 18. j An extraordinary degree of sympa- i thetic interest has been aroused in I j Fritz Kreuzer, tin* German stowaway. who escaped from custody on boa.rd the Mariposa. When Kreuzer appear ed at the Police Court, he was ordered _l to be deported. Meanwhile his conn , trynieii are anxious for his release * from custody on bond. Although it 1 seems definite that Kreuzer will have to leave New Zealand, numbers of offers to employ him have been receiv- ] C'l. Negotiations to obtain his release I on bond were instituted alter tin* court, proceedings, but nothing definite has „ been The Austrian Trade Commissioner, | , Mr O. J. Thedens, who is also Presi- | dent of the German Club Ims been taking an active mart in the interest l ' of Kreuzer. Mr Theda is stated that up to .£lOOO could be made available 0 for a bond for the stowaway, if such a p. sum were necessary. It is remarkable what lumber of people have been in i erest >.l in the 1 case. One farmer came from tho conn I try to the city and inlormml Mr Tbe- * dens that he. would have nr. hesitation c in finding a position ou his property 5 for Kreuzer. Striking as that offer was. it has been only one of numbers. The German Club, through its connecII (ions, is in a position to point to sev- ’ oral opportunities to employ the young man.